The number of people aged 90 and over in England and Wales has risen sharply, increasing the urgency of the social-care funding debate as more people may need support for longer. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a renewed effort to reform the system, saying previous governments failed to resolve pressures including NHS demand, uneven care standards and the risk that families lose substantial assets to care costs.

Official figures show around 580,000 people were aged at least 90, up 54 per cent over two decades, while the number of centenarians reached about 15,000 in 2025, a 90 per cent rise. In England, people generally fund residential care until assets fall to £23,250, potentially including their home; Burnham has asked Baroness Louise Casey to bring forward a review on a National Care Service to summer 2027 and is seeking cross-party agreement, without ruling out tax rises.